Become an information system specialist with a sought-after dual qualification in business administration and IT

The interdisciplinary field of information systems has its roots in computer science, economics, and particulary business administration. Information Systems support decision-making about value-adding processes ant the coordination, control, monitoring automation, integration, and virtualisation of such processes. Information systems can lead to innovation in products, processes and business models.

• Become an information system specialist with a highly sought-after double qualification in business administration and computer science
• Enjoy fascinating lectures from a top-ranked, inspiring faculty
• Investigate key issues like big data, digital transformation, and IT-based innovation in products, processes and business models
• Invest in yourself while gaining practical expertise and mastering theoretical methods on the university level
• Develop the entrepreneurial skills you need to find and shape IT-based business solutions

Key Facts

• Standard period of study: 4 semesters, full-time
• Scope: 120 ECTS
• Start: Fall term
• Degree title: Master of Science (M.Sc.)
• Language: German and English
• Fees: Only Social fee

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Programme Structure

The master's programe carries 120 ECTS credits and compromises a Core and Advanced Section, a Specialisation Section, a Supplementary Section and a Master Thesis.

The Core and Advanced Section of the master programme Information Systems contains 18 credit points. This area covers the methodological and content-specific basics of information systems.

The Specialisation Section, where students altogether complete 48 credit points, includes modules from information systems and computer sciences as well as two specialisation seminars.

The Supplementary Section serves as an additional section to develop a more specific profile – either by deepening and specialising or by diversifying knowledge. Altogether an area of 24 credit points has to be completed, in which modules from business administration, economics and social sciences are available to students.

Detailed information concerning the curricular design is available on our homepage on the Programme Structure pages. Especially at the beginning of your studies, individual consultations will help to make the right choices over the course of the programme.

Practical Experience

Our faculty has benefited from many years of experience working with companies and with visiting lecturers from a variety of professional fields. These professionals and managers bring highly relevant industry experience to the programme, resulting in sector-specific, up-to-date programme content that combines practice and theory and reflects the real world.

International Environment

Since many of our courses are delivered in English, you can complete most of the programme in English. Students from many countries apply for admission to our Master of Science in Information Systems programme, so you can be sure of an international and intercultural enviroment. We maintain cooperation with more than 130 partner universities throughout the world, so there are many opportunities to experience a semester abroad. More information and offers can be found at the International Relations Center (ZIB WiSo).

Career Opportunities

As a graduate in the interdisciplinary field of information systems, you will find attractive positions that call for your skills as a broad-based specialist. Thorugh your direct contact with the institute's professors, you will have learned from the best, as professors in Cologne Institute for Information Systems rank among the top scholars in theier fields. Many of our graduates have developed good business contacts even before completing their studies. Because of their broad-based, specialised education, our graduates can work in any field and in any position related to IT and economics, including  IT consultantcies. Some of our graduates choose to specialise further and work as, for instance, data analysts, data scientists, or entrepreneurs. Our leading partners in industry, ranging from large insurance companies to mid.sized software-developement companies, value our graduates as they are ready for action. Our graduates are also involved in start-ups, so if you are interested in setting up your own enterprise, you can count on the university's support. As the University of Cologne is state-funded, there are no tuition fees - just a biannual "semester contribution" of a little more than 250 euros - so you can invest in an excellent education - and your future - without paying a fortune.

Application information and requirements

Bachelor's degree:

Application in the case of unfinished Bachelor studies: In cases where present Bachelor studies have not been fully completed, application is permitted if the candidate has earned at least 80% of the required credits and will have achieved the remaining results by 30 September at the latest. The specific admission criteria governing the designated course of study (including the overall grade) must already have been fulfilled on the basis of the exam results available at the time of application.

Fulfilment of the following subject-related requirements:

• At least 20 ECTS credits in Information Systems
• At least 30 ECTS credits in Business Administration and Economics
• At least 30 ECTS credits in Informatics and/or Mathematics and/or Statistics

Language requirements:

German language skills (C1) and English language skills (B2)

Application Deadline: 15 June